World

Swedish MP intervenes in Brexit row over elderly Britons ordered to leave
A Swedish opposition MP has urged the government to halt the deportation of elderly British residents who missed a post-Brexit residency deadline, warning the cases are harming UK-Sweden relations.
The Guardian World · 18 Aug, 22:00
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Germany extends border controls for another six months despite growing criticism
Germany is extending its border controls for a further six months, more than a year after they were first introduced in September 2024. The decision comes despite mounting criticism of the measure.
TVNET · 18 Aug, 21:59

Teen dies falling in abandoned New Orleans skyscraper during nighttime exploration
A 17-year-old high school student from Belle Chasse died after falling while exploring the derelict 45-story Plaza Tower in downtown New Orleans with friends at night. The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of the long-abandoned building's ownership and safety.
The Guardian World · 18 Aug, 21:04
Al Jazeera opinion: UK terrorism laws increasingly blur line with protest
An Al Jazeera opinion piece warns that Britain's continually expanding terrorism legislation is erasing the distinction between political violence, peaceful protest and dissent.
Al Jazeera · 18 Aug, 21:03

US imposes new sanctions on ICC president and senior lawyer
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, the latest step in the Trump administration's campaign against the court.
BBC World · 18 Aug, 21:02

HUR: Children in Russian-occupied territories trained to handle explosives, fly drones
Ukraine's military intelligence agency HUR reports that a May competition in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory involved children practicing explosives handling and drone piloting. Ukraine has named those it holds responsible.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Aug, 20:59

Man dies in Finland after police use stun gun during arrest
In Finland, police used a stun gun while detaining an aggressive man, who was later taken to hospital and died. Prosecutors are investigating the circumstances.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 20:58
Iran ready to defend economy as US weighs new sanctions
Iranian authorities have said they could shift to offensive operations if necessary, as Washington considers imposing further sanctions on the country.
Al Jazeera · 18 Aug, 20:05

Russia threatens UK over British-made drones used in strikes inside Russia
Moscow has accused London of deliberately escalating the war after reports that Ukraine used British-built drones to hit targets inside Russia, including oil refineries.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Aug, 20:04

Nigeria influencer arrested after seizure of $28m cocaine shipment bound for UK
Nigeria's anti-drug agency has arrested a social media influencer linked to a 184.5kg cocaine haul destined for the UK, catching him at the airport as he tried to leave the country.
BBC World · 18 Aug, 20:03
St. Petersburg court issues first fine for sharing drone-strike aftermath footage since 2025 ban
More than a year after St. Petersburg banned publishing images of drone-strike aftermath, a local court has issued its first fine under the rule, penalizing a man 4,000 rubles for an online video.
Meduza · 18 Aug, 20:03

IAEA chief: several tonnes of undeclared nuclear material found in Syria
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said several tonnes of nuclear material dating from the former Syrian regime were found at a previously undeclared site. Syrian authorities themselves reported the discovery to the agency.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 20:02

Second day underway in trial of gang leader accused over Tupac Shakur's 1996 killing
A Las Vegas courtroom is hearing the second day of testimony in the murder trial of Duane 'Keffe D' Davis, accused of orchestrating rapper Tupac Shakur's 1996 shooting death. Davis has pleaded not guilty.
The Guardian World · 18 Aug, 20:00

Fuel shortage worsens again in Russia – only about a quarter of stations have supplies
Russia is facing a renewed fuel crisis, with data showing petrol and diesel available at only about 28% of filling stations, while authorities in several regions confirm growing queues.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 19:59

Russian opposition figure Sergei Vlasenko found dead in Warsaw
A former Russian politician who fled to Poland after the invasion of Ukraine, Sergei Vlasenko, was found dead in his Warsaw apartment. Authorities say there is currently no evidence of third-party involvement, though the investigation continues.
Jauns.lv · 18 Aug, 19:58

UAE briefly issues alert over possible missile threats
The United Arab Emirates sent out a short-lived phone alert on Tuesday warning of potential missile threats, with the Defence Ministry confirming it had detected missiles directed at the country for the first time in months.
Euronews · 18 Aug, 19:05

HUR: Russia aims to seize rest of Donetsk Oblast by year-end, not a peace deal
Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) says Russia intends to capture the remaining Ukrainian-held parts of Donetsk Oblast by the end of the year rather than pursue a peace agreement, as Moscow struggles to replenish its forces without a new mobilization.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Aug, 19:02
Less than a third of Russian gas stations now have fuel
Fuel availability at Russian gas stations has plunged following renewed Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries, according to app data cited by pro-government media. Russia's energy minister acknowledges lines forming but insists fuel remains available.
Meduza · 18 Aug, 19:01

In Ceuta, thousands of migrants wait on the beach for a decision on their fate
Weeks after a late-July surge saw more than 70,000 people cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, up to 5,000 migrants remain, camped on a beach while awaiting rulings on their legal status. Many are living in makeshift shelters without basic necessities.
France 24 · 18 Aug, 19:00

Report: Trump aide held undisclosed talks in Russia
The Financial Times reports that Rodney Mims Cook, head of the US Commission of Fine Arts, secretly visited the St Petersburg forum in June and met Kremlin officials, passing Putin a greeting from Trump.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 18:58

Unaccompanied minors on Ceuta's streets face rising abuse risk
Thousands of unaccompanied minors are living on the streets of the Spanish enclave Ceuta after a mass border crossing in July, with authorities reporting a sharp rise in sexual assault cases. Local officials are urging Madrid for more support and the transfer of children to the mainland.
Deutsche Welle · 18 Aug, 18:06
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NBC: Russia has begun supplying Iran with ammunition and drone parts
US broadcaster NBC reports that Russia has started sending Iran explosives, ammunition and drone parts to help replenish weapons stocks after US and Israeli strikes. The report cites a European government document.
TVNET · 18 Aug, 18:05

Drone Strike Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Leaves One Dead, IAEA Reports
A drone explosion at a bus stop used by staff of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant killed one person and injured several others on Tuesday, the IAEA said, with its chief calling for an immediate halt to attacks on nuclear facilities.
The Moscow Times · 18 Aug, 18:05

Pesticide residues increasingly found in Estonia's farmland soils
Estonia's Environment Agency reports pesticide residues are being detected more frequently in agricultural soils each year, though concentrations remain below limit values. Declining organic carbon and soil compaction were also flagged as concerns.
ERR News · 18 Aug, 18:04
Blast Confirms Moldova's Third Airspace Breach in Nine Days
Ukraine's Air Force says a Russian-made aircraft called "Banderol" crossed into Moldovan territory, but Moldovan investigators have yet to conclusively identify the wreckage found at the scene.
Euromaidan Press · 18 Aug, 18:00

Report: Russia has begun supplying Iran with munitions to counter US
NBC News, citing a document held by a European government, reports that Russia has started sending Iran explosives, munitions and drone parts. The supplies are meant to help Tehran rebuild its weapons stockpiles after US and Israeli strikes.
LSM · 18 Aug, 17:58

Forecast rain will not end the UK's widespread drought conditions
Heavy rain is expected across the UK this week, potentially causing surface flooding on hardened soil, but experts warn it won't resolve the country's ongoing water shortages. Several water companies have already introduced hosepipe bans.
The Guardian World · 18 Aug, 17:01
Russian opposition politician Nadezhdin fined over Meduza interview
A Moscow court fined Russian politician Boris Nadezhdin for giving an interview to Meduza, which Russia has designated an 'undesirable' organization. The fine came a day after news broke that he had left the country.
Meduza · 18 Aug, 16:58

Rain aids Belgian firefighters battling century's largest wildfire
Firefighters in Belgium's High Fens nature reserve are working to fully encircle the country's largest wildfire in a century, aided by rain but hampered by wind affecting air operations. The blaze has spread close to the German border, prompting evacuation warnings in Monschau.
Deutsche Welle · 18 Aug, 16:04
Bashar al-Assad's Cousin Wassim Sentenced to Death in Syria
A Syrian court has sentenced Wassim al-Assad, cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, to death for murder, torture and war crimes.
Al Jazeera · 18 Aug, 16:03

UK Labour membership drops sharply as Greater Manchester gets new mayor
UK Labour Party's membership fell to under 265,000 last year, while Bev Craig has succeeded Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor. Meanwhile, the Green Party faces a deepening rift between its moderate and radical wings.
Politico Europe · 18 Aug, 16:02

Sophie Adenot Becomes First French Woman to Spacewalk Outside ISS
French astronaut Sophie Adenot on Tuesday became the first Frenchwoman to conduct a spacewalk outside the International Space Station, joining American astronaut Anil Menon to replace a communications antenna.
France 24 · 18 Aug, 16:01
US and Iran Miss Peace Talks Deadline as Primaries Held in Three States
The United States and Iran failed to meet this week's deadline to begin peace talks, with the drawn-out war straining U.S. resources, while Alaska, Florida and Wyoming held primary elections including a closely watched Alaska Senate race.
NPR World · 18 Aug, 15:05
Meduza readers describe coping with wartime loneliness in Russia
Russian outlet Meduza has published reader responses describing how the war in Ukraine has broken friendships and family ties across Russia, pushing many toward isolation. Readers describe cutting off relatives, turning to therapy, and even talking to AI to cope.
Meduza · 18 Aug, 15:04
Russia summons Japanese ambassador over PM's remarks following Putin's Kuril Islands visit
Moscow has summoned Japan's ambassador in protest over comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which Russia labeled 'anti-Russian.' The remarks came after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands.
Al Jazeera · 18 Aug, 15:03

Ukrainian drone unit shares videos of Russian soldiers' final moments as propaganda tool
A Ukrainian unmanned systems unit called Magyar's Birds regularly posts drone footage showing Russian soldiers being killed, saying the aim is to demoralise Russia's military and expose the war's true cost.
Guardian Ukraina · 18 Aug, 15:00